Windsor Locks Fallen Soldier To Receive Medal Of Honor

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT - The White House will honor Sgt. John Chapman of the Air Force, a Windsor Locks native who died in Afghanistan in an effort to save the lives of his fellow soldiers. According to a statement from the White House, President Donald Trump will join Chapman's wife, Valerie Nessel, along with other family members "to commemorate his example of selfless service and sacrifice."

Chapman graduated from Windsor Locks High School in 1983. In 1985, he joined the Air Force where he became an expert in reconnaissance operations, air traffic control and terminal attack control operations.

On March 4, 2002, he died in a battle in the Takur Ghar mountains. Chapman's aircraft was under heavy enemy fire by a rocket-propelled grenade. One of his teammates was ejected from the aircraft and the damaged helicopter landed in the valley bellow.

Chapman and other joint special operations team members ventured into the snowy mountains in an effort to save the stranded soldier.

"Sergeant Chapman charged into enemy fire through harrowing conditions, seized an enemy bunker, and killed its enemy occupants," according to the statement. "He then moved from cover to engage a machine gun firing on his team from a second bunker. While engaging this position, he was severely wounded by enemy gunfire. Despite severe wounds, he continued to fight relentlessly, sustaining a violent engagement with multiple enemy personnel before paying the ultimate sacrifice. Sergeant Chapman’s heroic actions, at the cost of his life, are credited with saving the lives of his teammates."

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